CVE-2021-44401 in RLC-410W
Summary
by MITRE • 01/29/2022
A denial of service vulnerability exists in the cgiserver.cgi JSON command parser functionality of reolink RLC-410W v3.0.0.136_20121102. A specially-crafted HTTP request can lead to a reboot. PtzCtrl param is not object. An attacker can send an HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2022
This vulnerability resides in the cgiserver.cgi component of reolink RLC-410W firmware version 3.0.0.136_20121102, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited to remotely reboot the device. The vulnerability specifically targets the JSON command parser functionality within the web server interface, where improper input validation leads to system instability. The flaw manifests when processing HTTP requests containing maliciously crafted parameters, particularly affecting the PtzCtrl parameter which is expected to be an object but receives malformed input. This represents a classic buffer overflow or parsing error condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and also aligns with CWE-122, indicating heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can occur during JSON parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specific HTTP request that targets the cgiserver.cgi endpoint with malformed JSON data. When the system attempts to parse the PtzCtrl parameter, it fails to properly validate the input structure, causing the device to crash and subsequently reboot. This reboot condition effectively renders the surveillance camera temporarily unavailable, disrupting security monitoring operations. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no physical access or authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for security infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate error handling within the web server component, allowing malformed data to propagate through the system without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it directly affects the security posture of surveillance networks. Organizations relying on reolink RLC-410W cameras for continuous monitoring may experience gaps in their security coverage when devices reboot unexpectedly, potentially creating windows for physical security breaches. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, compromising the system's ability to provide continuous service. In large-scale deployments, multiple devices could be simultaneously affected, leading to cascading failures that impact entire surveillance systems. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems and security environments where uninterrupted monitoring is critical for safety and security operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from reolink to address the parsing vulnerability, while network segmentation can help limit the attack surface. Implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protection layers against similar attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their security infrastructure and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify similar weaknesses in other networked devices. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual reboot patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms can reduce the risk of unauthorized exploitation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust input validation and error handling in embedded systems and networked security devices.